Fired veterans affairs secretary: Trump’s Washington is ‘toxic’
THE White House veterans affairs secretary has taken a parting shot at Donald Trump and his “toxic Washington” after he was sacked by the president.
David Shulkin’s departure was announced by Mr Trump in a tweet on Wednesday, in which he revealed he was nominating his personal doctor for the role.
Mr Shulkin, 58, had been embroiled in controversy after he was found to have taken his wife on a business trip to Europe, during which he improperly accepted tickets to Wimbledon.
In a scathing article for The New York Times, he wrote: “As I prepare to leave government, I am struck by a recurring thought: it should not be this hard to serve your country.”
Mr Shulkin, who has been in the role for the last three years, the only cabinet member from the Obama administration, claimed he was fired because he opposed Trump administration plans to privatise healthcare for veterans.
The former hospital administrator said: “In recent months, the environment in Washington has turned so toxic, chaotic, disrespectful and subversive that it became impossible for me to accomplish the important work that our veterans need and deserve.”
Mr Trump’s decision to nominate Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, 50, his personal doctor, as a replacement has been met with scepticism over his lack of experience in government. His appointment will need to be confirmed by the Senate and there is some uncertainty over whether lawmakers will let him oversee the second largest government department and its vast budget.
In just the last month, Mr Trump has also replaced his secretary of state, national security adviser and economics adviser.